I was re-reading Alistair's first few days as a Prince, well, last day as a Templar first days as a Prince and I didn't realise how in depth I had written it so I thought you would probably like to read it and see my Elissa Cousland as she is notably dead in TP&TM. The Prince and the Mage will probably be completed on here by Monday, if I do the next chapter tonight and the last one tomorrow. But for now, something so sugary it'll make your teeth ache... a lot.

10 Cloudreach, 9:30 Dragon Age.

Lady Elissa Cousland of Highever was an expert in court smiles, polite laughter and dismissing men with sweet words and no promises. If she were not careful she would wind up engaged to one of the men of court without her say so and getting out of that would be political minefield as denying such an event had taken place would likely insult many high placed fathers. As such she normally kept an escort as she navigated Denerim's Palace; Oriana was perfect with her Antivan wit and beautiful sense of style. No one would dare say a word out of place as they continually feared that Oriana would call upon the Crows to be do away with any who did. But today, Elissa was alone enjoying the gardens on an unusually warm day for spring. However, her sister-in-law had been invited to a salon with Fergus at one of the other estates leaving Elissa alone to roam the palace gardens close to the Cousland apartments.

Today was the single day between the Landsmeet and the start of the tournaments and everyone was either relaxing after the taxing Landsmeet session that had included disturbing reports from the Grey Wardens about increased darkspawn activity far to the south or training for the melee. Elissa had sat in on each meeting after having been formally declared the heiress to her father's land. Her marriageable stock had increased a hundredfold since the announcement and in the month since the announcement she had received so many requests that she was thinking of employing a steward just to read the them.

Thus Elissa was the perfect target for any opportunist son on the lookout to advance his station through her and one of the little blighters had found her smelling the roses. Thomas Howe was one of the most despicable men to ever cross her path with Vaughan Kendells coming in a close second; she wouldn't be surprised if it came out that they tortured small animals together. She straightened herself to her full height and met Howe's gaze having to tilt her head back a little. He was a weasel of a boy two years younger than she with pinched features that matched his father. It might have been at least bearable to look at him if he didn't continually sneer at those around him as if he were their better although it did help Elissa dislike him all the more.

'Lord Howe, to what do I owe this pleasure?' she asked crossing her arms over her chest hoping her expression of don't you dare touch me or else would be enough to have him scurry away.

He bowed, sneering at her. 'I had heard that you were here in attendance with your father, I had hoped to spend time with you.'

Had she not been better schooled in polite manners, she'd have scoffed; she knew as well as anyone that he would rather spending his time in the whorehouse slamming his way into paid totty as he drank his way through a pitcher after pitcher of ale. She was lucky that Thomas Howe had only arrived a few days ago otherwise their paths would have crossed sooner. He was in the city for the tournament, to prove the worth of the Howe family; Elissa was of the opinion that Howe would have been better off entering Deliah into tournament than Thomas who was nothing but a dishonourable brute.

'To what end, Lord Howe?' she asked coolly. 'I believe I have stated my position quite clearly. Unless you are uncertain of any particular point I've made?'

Anger overtook Howe's pinched hawk-like features and he grabbed her wrist dragging her close to his body. 'You are an insolent mare, Cousland, and you will remember your place.'

'Do unhanded me, Howe, or I swear you'll regret it,' she said grabbing his hand and clawing with her nails as she readied her leg to deliver a blow to Howe's manly area's putting a stop to his whoring ways but possibly putting more small animals in harm's way as he dealt with that frustration.

The backhand blow came as a surprise to her, forcing her head back painfully. Elissa cried out as she stumbled back but was prevented from falling back by Howe's hard grip on her wrist that wrenched at her arm painfully.

'Why you son of a-' she started when seeing a sword tip at his throat killed the words dead in her throat.

Elissa's eyes travelled along the blade to a hand, then a heavy gauntlet followed by standard issue Templar attire to a young face the pricked at the corner of her mind in vague recognition but she couldn't place him. She carried on, coming to amber eyes that match the short honey blonde hair that was cropped close to his scape but styled.

'I suggest you unhand her Ladyship, Ser,' he said in a dark voice that didn't seem to match his appearance. 'Or I promise you will regret it.'

Given that he was unarmed and no match for a Templar even if he had been armed, Howe unhanded her with a rough push and she stumbled over the skirts of her dress falling rather ungraciously to the floor. Thomas Howe looked over the Templar before spitting at his feet and turning away storming off across the courtyard in a manner than was more like an insolent child than the son of a noble.

'Delightful fella, don't you think?' he asked turning probably expecting to see her stood behind him, not sat in the dried mud nursing the wrist Howe had clasped and then had used to brake her fall. A concerned look over took his face. 'Are you alright, my Lady?'

'Been better,' she replied wryly, glancing up at him through her hair at her golden knight in shining armour. 'Thank you, that couldn't have been better timed.'

'It could have,' he said sheathing his sword and pulling off his gauntlet. 'I could have got here before he backhanded you.' He held out his hand to her. 'Would you like me to escort you back to your father, Lady Cousland?'

She took his hand and he pulled her up, steadying her with his other hand at her waist. Their eyes met at the unexpected touch and Alistair pulled his hands away suddenly embarrassed. Elissa looked away as quickly as she was also taken aback with the sudden feeling that well up as their eyes had met; the warmth in his eyes mingled with his concern had been strangely intoxicating. 'I wouldn't want to trouble you, Ser,' she said quietly. 'No doubt you have more important duties to attend to.'

'Depends if having all the other initiates find new and exciting ways to call me a bastard is considered an important duty,' he replied brightly. 'No doubt they are all put out that I have been let off our usual training this afternoon, though for what reason I dread, I'll bet they have me saving my energy for peeling potatoes all evening.' He laughed. 'They'll be most put out that I managed to rescue as damsel in distress as well, seems I get all the luck.'

She looked at him with a raised eyebrow at his amused self-deprecating tone. 'You're a Templar, yes?'

'What gave it away?' he asked with a smile. 'Was it the armour?'

'It certainly wasn't the standing around not getting involved unless it's a mage attitude,' Elissa said. 'Thank you, Ser, erm, sorry, I don't think you've told me your name.'

'Alistair,' he said, 'Ser Alistair.'

'Well, Ser Alistair, thank the Maker you walked on by when you did,' she said. 'Still I would have relished the chance to have shown him a thing or two myself to make him regret messing with me.'

The Templar looked her up and down with a bemused look on his face. She knew what he was thinking; it's what they all thought when they saw her dressed as she was in her court finery that hide the subtle muscle structure that were a result of her training back home. Her father had started her archery training when she had been old enough to pick up a bow and over time she had picked up other more unorthodox moves.

'Let us just say I'd have put a stop to his whoring ways for at least a month,' she said. 'I'd've had the girls at the Pearl lining up at my door thanking me no doubt.'

Rather surprisingly the young Templar turned beet red and that made her laugh, chuckling huskily at him until he smiled at her. She returned the smile.

'Well, Ser Alistair, I believe you mentioned escorting me back to my father as you are at a loose end,' she said. 'I should tell him of what has transpired here; it isn't often I get assaulted for refusing marriage offers, but it doesn't surprise me that Howe would stoop so low.'

That look of warmth with mingled concern returned to Ser Alistair's eyes as he offered his arm to the Teryn's daughter. She took it, winding her arm into his not daring to look at his eyes as she did so, least she somehow fall in and drown. They were truly the most stunning set she had ever seen.

OoOoO

'I can't see her happy being forced into a marriage, Your Majesty,' said Teyrn Bryce Cousland as he accepted a drink from the young King.

Cailan sighed looking out in the garden where Elissa Cousland walked through the rows of roses, unknowingly being stalked by Thomas Howe. 'I realise that, and I would not ask Bryce,' he replied, 'but she is one of the few eligible women who is not an empty airhead. If Duncan is correct about the Darkspawn horde then there is no other choice. Anora is still not with child, Bryce; I fear she never will be.'

'Your Majesty,' said Bryce quietly, but the young King held up his hand to silence him.

'My father made a provision in his will, did he not, legitimising Alistair, declaring him my heir until such time I had a child of my own,' said the King.

The Teryn nodded his head. 'Indeed he did.'

'Then it is high time my little brother was brought home, and wedded to wife that will be able to guide him through the trials that maybe before him,' continued Cailan. 'I believe the Lady Elissa is best suited; she is the most senior noblewoman in the Kingdom and your heir. If Alistair does not take the throne, then he will succeed to the Terynir with the Lady Elissa.'

'It would be a fine match, Your Majesty, and one your father also thought of, but Loghain side tracked it,' explained Bryce.

The King nodded his head turning from the window and heading to the door. He opened it, poked his head out and whispered a few words to the guard who saluted. 'Right away, my Lord.' Cailan put his head back in and closed the door.

'That does not surprise me,' said the young King, 'Loghain has always be adapt at getting his own way. I see it becoming a bit of a problem.'

Bryce remained silent; while he admired Loghain's skill on the battlefield, he had long thought that he should have remained there, not elevated to Teryn once Maric reclaimed Ferelden, but he did not argue with his King's decision. He still held his beloved Highever at the end of it, and had position both with Maric and now with his son. Bryce watched as the young King went back to the window, not seeing the smile on his face.

'Although, Bryce, you may not have a problem talking her around,' he said, 'but dammit. Someone needs to have a word to Howe about that boy of his. You should see to your daughter Bryce, I fear my men were not fast enough.'

The Teryn frowned. 'Not fast enough?'

'Seems like the youngest Howe decided to try a bit of sport with the Lady Elissa, although, I would give her a moment with her knight in shining armour. It might help you talk her around,' chuckled the King, but then he went very serious. 'It is my wish that the Lady Elissa is married to my brother, Bryce. I will give you the time you see fit to bring your daughter around to the idea but that time is not unlimited. We may have only months before I am called to the battlefield.'

Bryce bowed to the King. 'As you wish, Your Majesty.'

OoOoO

Alistair froze as two guards walked towards them, heavily armoured and armed bearing the crest of King Cailan's personal guard. He went to let go of Elissa's hand but she held on, gripping him tightly and looking at him.

'This is fine after your heroic rescue,' she said as the two men stopped and bowed to her.

'Lady Cousland, we received word from the King that you were involved in an altercation with Thomas Howe,' said one of the men, dark haired with close trimmed beard.

Elissa looked at them both. 'Well, it is nice to know that the response time for aid is so quick,' she said icily, 'but as you can see I am in fine hands now, Ser Alistair of the Templar's stepped in while not a single one of the men on duty did a thing.'

The guard bowed once again. 'I am very sorry, Lady Cousland, we shall see that it does not happen again,' he said before turning and leaving with his silent companion.

She turned to look at Alistair, noting the loss of colour to his cheeks. 'Are you alright, Ser Alistair?'

'Yes, fine,' he said looking straight ahead. 'Save for what will happen once the Knight Commander discovers I was in an altercation with a noble.'

Elissa frowned. 'You think you will be punished, Ser?' she asked.

'Anything is possible where the Knight Commander is concerned,' he admitted as they arrived in the corridor that lead to the Cousland's apartments.

'I shall not let that happen,' she said, rather passionately, 'I shall speak with my father, have him speak with the Knight Commander on your behalf.'

Halfway down the hall, a voice called out from behind. 'Pup.'

Elissa spun to see her father walking quickly towards them with a mage in tow. Alistair hastily stepped away from her and bowed to the Teryn. 'I have just heard, about Howe's boy. What happened?'

'Thomas Howe decided to try and teach me a lesson for rejecting his advances,' she said, 'Ser Alistair of the Templars had the decency to see him off for me.'

Bryce looked over Alistair again. 'It is not often that Elissa needs such aid, but you have my thanks.'

'Her Ladyship may have a sprained wrist, she landed badly on it when Howe pushed her,' said Alistair, bowing to her father again before looking at the hand she hadn't even realised she was cradling.

Self-consciously, she dropped it but winced as she did so earning a smirk from Alistair as she did so. Bryce looked at her just as she started cradling the injured hand again. 'Howe forcibly pushed me when Ser Alistair intervened.'

Bryce nodded. 'I shall speak to Knight Commander Tavish of this,' he said to Alistair. 'You have done me a great service, no man should raise a hand to my child and you have my gratitude for intervening, though it should be known that it is rare that my girl should find herself in need of a knight in shining armour.'

'Father,' muttered Elissa going beet red and rubbing her cheeks. Then she mustered every ounce of courage she had to look Alistair in the eye. 'You have my eternal thanks, Ser Alistair.' Then for no reason at all, she stepped forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek leaving him a redder colour than she.

If Bryce Cousland had any objection to his daughters conduct, he did not mention it. Instead he placed a hand to her shoulder to guide her back to her their apartments with a look back at Alistair. As the door closed he looked down at his daughter. 'We should get that looked at and then I'll speak to Howe about the conduct of his boy,' he said guiding her over to the chaise lounge by the window that overlooked their private gardens in the grounds.

She hung her head finally succumbing to the pain she felt all over. 'Like it will make any difference,' she said pressing the fingers of her good hand to the corner of her eyes to stem the tears. 'Perhaps it's time to just give up on finding someone who wants me for me and find the best of a lot who want me for my future titles. I could be happy with someone.'

Bryce placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. 'You don't need to think like that just yet Elissa,' he said sitting down beside her.

'You're not the one being assaulted in the palace while the guards just watch,' replied Elissa. 'That Templar, he's not going to get in trouble is he?'

'I very much doubt the King will allow it, much less myself,' said Bryce comforting her daughter. Then he looked up at the elder mage that had accompanied him. 'This is Wynne, a Senior Enchanter at the Circle and talented healer. She will take a look at your injuries.'

With a gentle kiss to her cheek, he strode off leaving her in the care of the mage.